Quite a bit of media attention has been given in recent times to this "deviationist sect" led by a 65-year-old man called Ayah Pin in Terengganu. He and his followers have constructed a RM5 million commune with giant sculptures of a vase, teapot and umbrella as religious symbols of their syncretic faith that embraces all the major different religions in Malaysia. Ayah Pin has renounced Islam and names his new religion as the "Sky Kingdom". He claims to represent God and to have supernatural powers. His followers number in the thousands and come from different states all over Malaysia as well as overseas. They include professionals and even a chief police officer. The Islamic authorities are still at a loss what to do with him while some Muslims have taken the law into their own hands and set fire to his property. An overseas friend of mine has remarked that this could turn out to be the Falong Guong headache of the Malaysian authorities.
What are we to make of all these as Christians? Can we just brush it aside as a passing cult that has nothing to do with us? Should we stand up for his right to choose whatever religion he wants to follow or accept the status quo and treat it as an internal matter for the Malay community to deal with? What is God trying to tell us or wants us to do?
I would like to first address the issue of the rise of cults in general. They usually take root and flourish when there is a spiritual vacuum created by the failure of the prevailing established religion to meet the followers' spiritual needs. They hunger after something more and the cult promises to deliver. We are now in a time of transition and uncertainty both globally and locally unsettling many people who feel insecure, restless and disturbed. They long for someone to take over their lives and solve all their problems and grant them peace. They are ripe for the picking. If we as Christians don't labour and harvest, someone else will. That is why Jesus forewarned us that in the last days will arise many false Christs and prophets (Mark 13:22).
Secondly, we need to examine ourselves as representatives of Christ's body on earth. Are we being that kind of loving authentic community He wants us to be. If we are we will attract rather than repel people who are searching for God. Cults bloom when churches fail.
Thirdly, we must pray for those who are lost and searching for someone or something to fill that spiritual vacuum in their lives. We must ask God to lead us to them or vice versa so that we can lead them to Christ. If not they will just respond to the next Ayah Pin that comes along. May we lift up our eyes and see that the fields are indeed ripe for harvesting.
by Living Lee, GCF icommentary
Comments